Police Mistakes in Nottingham Attacks: Partner's Shock

0:00On March 25, a public inquiry into the Nottingham Attacks has uncovered shocking police mistakes in notifying the partner of victim Ian Coats. On June 13, 2023, the 65-year-old caretaker was stabbed to death by Valdo Callacane, a 34-year-old paranoid, schizophrenic. Callacane also killed two 19-year-old university students, Barnaby Weber and Grace O'Malley-Kumar before ramming pedestrians with a stolen van. Elaine Newton, Coats' partner, was first told by officers that he died in a car crash, only learning the truth about the stabbing five hours later. She described the mix-up as, feeling like her partner died twice, leaving her confused and distrustful. Newton shared how police gave her dismissive advice afterward, like buying a dog, moving house, or living by the sea to cope. Coats' son, James, learned of his father's death through Instagram from a family friend, getting an official call just before a press conference.

1:00The inquiry is probing why Callacane, who had a violent history including assaulting neighbors in 2020, was free to act. Police had dropped charges after a psychiatrist ruled him mentally unfit for responsibility. Families continue to express outrage over perceived second-class treatment and ongoing revelations of mischances as Callacane serves an indefinite hospital order for manslaughter.